Impact in 2011: Battling for a spot
in the two-deep rotation at defensive tackle

Did you know: Ferguson, a native of
Frederick, Md., transferred from St. John’s Catholic Prep to Hargrave Military
Academy to play his senior year of high school with the private boarding
school’s post-graduate team.

Questions and Answers

TSD: Where does
defensive line coach Brick Haley have you at in the rotation?

Ferguson: “Right
now coach (Haley) has me taking reps with the ones and twos. I’m just trying to
find a place in the rotation, and he’s trying to see what he’s working with
this year.”

TSD: What’s the
difference between your approach as a freshman and your preparation headed into
your second season with the program?

Ferguson: “Basically
I came with a different mindset this time. I was coming off my first step
really quick and exploding off the ball. I am just learning the position.
Moving from defensive end to defensive tackle is a whole different animal. I
finally started to pick up on different keys and techniques.”

TSD: What was
that move from the edge to the inside like?

Ferguson: “When I
came here I just wanted to find the quickest way to get me onto the field and
on to the next level. When coach (Haley) asked me to move inside because it
would help me out a lot, I said I would do it right away. It didn’t matter to
me. I just wanted to get onto the field.”

TSD: With the
move your weight seemed to fluctuate a lot over the past year. What was that
process of getting into game shape like?

Ferguson: “At
first I put on too much weight. I got to like 310 pounds in the spring. But now
I am at 281 and I love it. I am quick off the ball, but I still have that
strength. So that’s good.”

TSD: How much of
that do you credit to strength and conditioning coordinator Tommy Moffitt?

Ferguson: “Moffitt
was on me all summer, from the beginning to the end. From stretching to extra
running, he had me right. He really got me into good shape for this fall camp.”

TSD: What is
something that stands out about this defensive line?

Ferguson: “I
think this season we are all coming together. We are all helping each other
out. We aren’t worried about who starts the game; we just want to finish the
game. When someone else comes in the game we want the effort to stay the same.”

TSD: Haley
mentioned using a rotation of five defensive tackles. What’s his message been
like in fall camp?

Ferguson: “He
tells us that the competition is open every day. We are really just trying to
get better every day. The stronger that front is, then the stronger the team
is.”

TSD: What’s it
like working inside when you have speed rushers like Ken Adams, Sam Montgomery
and Barkevious Mingo?

Ferguson: “They
have amazing speed, so it makes everything a lot easier. Mingo and Sam and Ken
come up the field so fast that it pushes everything towards us, and it helps us
make plays.”

TSD: Is there any
one player that fans should keep an eye on?

Ferguson: “People
should really watch out for Sam since he’s coming back (from injury), and Mingo
had a great year last year and should do the same this year. He’s tried to bulk
up, and he looks good.”

TSD: What’s the
feeling on the line as the team moves past the midway point of fall camp?

Ferguson: “I
think we still have a ways to go, but we are good right now. Our goal this year
is to be the best in the country, but we aren’t there yet. We have to work at
it every day.”